[Readingsandsaints] Readings and Saints

Wed Jan 16 05:00:18 CST 2008

Scripture Readings and Saints for Wed Jan 16 2008

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Hebrews 5:11-6:8  (Epistle)
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have
become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone
to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you
have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of
righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those
who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil.
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of
Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy
Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to
come,
6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they
crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open
shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and
bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives
blessing from God;
8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being
cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Scripture Reading 1 of 4

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Hebrews 7:1-6  (Epistle, Thursday)
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God,
who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed
him,
2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being
translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem,
meaning "king of peace,"
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God,
remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch
Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the
priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people
according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have
come from the loins of Abraham;
6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from
Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
Scripture Reading 2 of 4

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Luke 21:5-7,10-11,20-24  (Gospel)
5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful
stones and donations, He said,
6 These things which you see-the days will come in which not one stone
shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.
7 So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?
And what sign will there be when these things are about to take
place?"
10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom.
11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines
and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from
heaven.
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its
desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those
who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the
country enter her.
22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are
written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing
babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and
wrath upon this people.
24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away
captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Scripture Reading 3 of 4

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Luke 21:28-33  (Gospel, Thursday)
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your
heads, because your redemption draws near.
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the
trees.
30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that
summer is now near.
31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the
kingdom of God is near.
32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away
till all things take place.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass
away.
Scripture Reading 4 of 4

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Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and
All-Glorious Apostle Peter
The Veneration of the Honorable Chains of the Holy and All-Praised
Apostle Peter: In about the year 42, on the orders of Herod Agrippa,
the Apostle Peter was thrown into prison for preaching about Christ
the Savior. In prison he was held secure by two iron chains. During
the night before his trial, an angel of the Lord removed these chains
from the Apostle Peter and led him out from the prison (Acts 12:1-11).
Christians who learned of the miracle took the chains and kept them as
precious keepsakes. For three centuries the chains were kept in
Jerusalem, and those afflicted with illness and approached them with
faith received healing. Patriarch Juvenal (July 2) presented the
chains to Eudokia, wife of the emperor Theodosius the Younger, and she
in turn transferred them from Jerusalem to Constantinople in either
the year 437 or 439.
Eudokia sent one chain to Rome to her daughter Eudoxia (the wife of
Valentinian), who built a church on the Esquiline hill dedicated to
the Apostle Peter and placed the chain in it. There were other chains
in Rome, with which the Apostle Peter was shackled before his
martyrdom under the emperor Nero. These were also placed in the
church.
On January 16, the chains of St Peter are brought out for public
veneration
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Blessed Maximus the Fool-for-Christ of Totma, Vologda
Blessed Maximus, Priest of Totma, was for a certain time, a priest in
the city of Totma in the Vologda diocese. For forty years he undertook
the difficult exploit of foolishness for Christ, constantly in fasting
and in prayer. St Maximus died in great old age on January 16, 1650
and was buried at the Resurrection church in which he served. The
local veneration of the saint began in 1715, because of the numerous
miracles occurring at his grave.
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Martyr Speusippus in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus, and their
grandmother Leonilla together with Neon, Turbo and Jonilla suffered in
Gaul (by another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century, during
the persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
These martyrs are particularly revered in Spain, where many churches
are dedicated to them. The relics of the holy martyrs were given by
the Byzantine emperor Zeno to a French nobleman from the city of
Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyr Eleusippus in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyrs Eleusippus, Speusippus, Meleusippus, and their
grandmother Leonilla together with Neon, Turbo and Jonilla suffered in
Gaul (by another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century, during
the persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
These martyrs are particularly revered in Spain, where many churches
are dedicated to them. The relics of the holy martyrs were given by
the Byzantine emperor Zeno to a French nobleman from the city of
Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyr Meleusippus in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyrs Meleusippus, Speusippus, Eleusippus, and their
grandmother Leonilla together with Neon, Turbo and Jonilla suffered in
Gaul (by another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century, during
the persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
These martyrs are particularly revered in Spain, where many churches
are dedicated to them. The relics of the holy martyrs were given by
the Byzantine emperor Zeno to a French nobleman from the city of
Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyred Brothers in Cappadocia
The Holy Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus, and their
grandmother Leonilla together with Neon, Turbo and Jonilla suffered in
Gaul (by another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century, during
the persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
Leonilla received Baptism in her old age from one of the disciples of
St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and she afterwards converted her three
grandsons (who were triplets) to Christ. The brothers, in their zeal
for the Lord, pulled down idols and reproached the pagans for their
folly. The judge ordered Leonilla to go to the prison and tell her
grandchildren to renounce Christ and worship the idols. Instead, she
praised them for their bravery and their firm confession of faith. All
three were hanged on a tree, then flogged. Finally, the martyrs were
thrown into a fire, but their bodies were undamaged by the flames.
After the torture and death of her grandchildren, St Leonilla was
beheaded with a sword. St Jonilla also suffered with her. She saw the
steadfast faith of the holy martyrs and said that she too was a
Christian. The torturers hung her up by the hair, lacerated her body,
then beheaded her. She left behind her husband and young son.
St Neon witnessed the exploits of the holy brothers, and wrote an
account of their sufferings. He gave his manuscript to Turbo, and
openly confessed himself a Christian, for which he was fiercely beaten
and died from his beating.
St Turbo, after he copied out the exploits of the passion-bearers,
also ended his life by martyrdom. These martyrs are particularly
revered in Spain, where many churches are dedicated to them. The
relics of the holy martyrs were given by the Byzantine emperor Zeno to
a French nobleman from the city of Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyr Leonilla the grandmother in Cappadocia
Saint Leonilla was the grandmother of Sts Speusippus, Eleusippus,
Meleusippus. They all suffered martyrdom with Neon, Turbo and Jonilla
in Gaul (by another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century,
during the persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180).
Leonilla received Baptism in her old age from one of the disciples of
St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and she afterwards converted her three
grandsons (who were triplets) to Christ. The brothers, in their zeal
for the Lord, pulled down idols and reproached the pagans for their
folly. The judge ordered Leonilla to go to the prison and tell her
grandchildren to renounce Christ and worship the idols. Instead, she
praised them for their bravery and their firm confession of faith. All
three were hanged on a tree, then flogged. Finally, the martyrs were
thrown into a fire, but their bodies were undamaged by the flames.
After the torture and death of her grandchildren, St Leonilla was
beheaded with a sword. St Jonilla saw the steadfast faith of the holy
martyrs and said that she too was a Christian. The torturers hung her
up by the hair, lacerated her body, then beheaded her. She left behind
her husband and young son.
St Neon witnessed the exploits of the holy brothers, and wrote an
account of their sufferings. He gave his manuscript to Turbo, and
openly confessed himself a Christian, for which he was fiercely beaten
and died from his beating.
These martyrs are particularly revered in Spain, where many churches
are dedicated to them. The relics of the holy martyrs were given by
the Byzantine emperor Zeno to a French nobleman from the city of
Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyr Neon, in Cappadocia
Saint Neon was put to death with the holy martyrs Speusippus,
Eleusippus, Meleusippus, and their grandmother Leonilla, and also with
Turbo and Jonilla. They suffered in Gaul (by another account, in
Cappadocia) in the second century, during the persecution under Marcus
Aurelius (161-180).
St Neon witnessed the exploits of the holy brothers, and wrote an
account of their sufferings. He gave his manuscript to Turbo, and
openly confessed himself a Christian, for which he was fiercely beaten
and died from his beating.
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Martyr Turbo, in Cappadocia
Saint Turbo was put to death with the holy martyrs Speusippus,
Eleusippus, Meleusippus, and their grandmother Leonilla, and also with
Neon and Jonilla. They suffered in Gaul (by another account, in
Cappadocia) in the second century, during the persecution under Marcus
Aurelius (161-180).
St Turbo, after he copied out the exploits of the passion-bearers,
also ended his life by martyrdom. These martyrs are particularly
revered in Spain, where many churches are dedicated to them. The
relics of the holy martyrs were given by the Byzantine emperor Zeno to
a French nobleman from the city of Langres, where they now rest.
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Martyr Jonilla (Vovilla), in Cappadocia
Saint Jonilla suffered with Sts Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus,
and their grandmother St Leonilla, with Neon and Turbo in Gaul (by
another account, in Cappadocia) in the second century, during the
persecution under Marcus Aurelius (161-180). St Leonilla was beheaded
with a sword after her grandchildren were tortured and slain.
St Jonilla saw the steadfast faith of the holy martyrs and said that
she too was a Christian. The torturers hung her up by the hair,
lacerated her body, then beheaded her. She left behind her husband and
young son.
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Martyr Danax the Reader, in Macedonia
The Holy Martyr Danax lived during the second century and served as
reader at a church in Auleneia in Macedonia. During an invasion by
pagans, the saint took the church vessels and intended to hide them,
but he was seized by soldiers. Refusing to worship their loathsome
idols, he was stabbed with a sword.
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St Honoratus the Archbishop of Arles and Founder of Lerins
Monastery
Saint Honoratus was born in Gaul (modern France) about 350, and came
from a distinguished Roman family. After a pilgrimage to Greece and
Rome, he became a hermit on the isle of Lerins, where he was joined by
Sts Lupus of Troyes (July 29), Eucherius of Lyons (November 16), and
Hilary of Arles (May 5), among others.
The saint depleted his youthful vigor through fasting and asceticism,
and so "the powers of the body made way for the power of the spirit."
Though in poor health, he managed to follow the same rule of fasting
and keeping vigil as those who were younger and stronger than he. He
would visit the sick when he was even sicker than they were, offering
consolation for body and soul.Then, fearing he had not done enough for
them, he would review each case in his mind to determine how he could
ease their suffering.
Adorned with virtues, St Honoratus treated a variety of spiritual
diseases, freeing many from their enslavement to vice. His insight
into each person's character enabled him to apply the appropriate
remedies for restoring souls to spiritual health.
St Honoratus died in 429 shortly after being consecrated as Bishop of
Arles.St Hilary, his relative and successor, delivered a eulogy which
still survives.
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Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos
The Hieromartyr Damascene the New was born in the village of Gabrovo
of the Trnovo diocese in Bulgaria. As an adult, he left his home and
went to the Hilandar monastery on Mt. Athos, where he later became
igumen. St Damascene often journeyed to various places on monastery
business. He once went to Bulgaria to ask a certain Moslem for payment
of a debt owed to the monastery. To avoid paying the debt, the man
placed a Moslem woman in the room where the saint was staying. He was
wrongly charged with having sexual relations with the woman, a crime
which carried the death penalty if he were convicted. Despite the
doubts of the kadi (judge), the Moslems in court gave false testimony
against Father Damascene, so the kadi had to find him guilty. Before
taking him to be executed, they gave him the choice of saving his life
by converting to Islam, or death.
Seeing that nothing would induce the saint to deny Christ and accept
their religion, the Moslems hanged him at Svishtov on January 16,
1771. The wrath of God was not slow in overtaking the evil-doers,
however. They got into a boat to cross the Danube River, and the boat
capsized in a storm, drowning them.
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New Martyr Damascene of Gabrovo
The holy New Martyr Damascene was from Gabrovo in the Metropolis of
Trnovo, Bulgaria. Longing for the monastic life, he traveled to Mt.
Athos and entered the Serbian monastery of Hilandar. In time, he was
ordained deacon and priest, fulfilling various obediences in the
monastery.
One day Father Damascene was sent to Sfistovi, Bulgaria to collect
rent from a Moslem on property owned by the monastery. To avoid paying
the money he owed the vile fellow sent a Moslem woman to the place
where the monk was staying. Then he and others broke in and accused Fr
Damascene of impropriety. If the authorities found him guilty, he
could be put to death.
The kadi was not convinced that Fr Damascene was guilty of the
charges, but since other Moslems testified against him, the judge had
to find him guilty. However, he offered the monk a chance to save his
life if he would convert to Islam.
St Damascene refused to deny Christ, so he was sentenced to be hanged.
The Moslems then confiscated the monastery's property.
St Damascene suffered martyrdom on January 16, 1771.
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Venerable Romilus of Ravenica
Saint Romilus the Hesychast was the disciple of St Gregory of Sinai
(August 8). He was born in Vidin, Bulgaria of a Greek father and a
Bulgarian mother. As a child, he possessed a maturity beyond his
years, and disdained childish games and pursuits. His friends, and
even his teacher, admired him for his learning and piety.
His parents wanted to marry him to a woman, but he longed for the
monastic life. When he learned that they planned to force him into
marriage, he fled to the Hodigitria Monastery at Trnovo. The abbot
accepted him and tonsured him with the name Romanus. From the
beginning of his life as a monk, Romanus was known for his virtue and
for his humility.
The monk Romanus, hearing of the monastery established by St Gregory
of Sinai in the wilderness of Paroria, longed to dwell there. Although
the abbot realized that the young man wished to live in a more remote
area far from worldly distractions, he was reluctant to let him go.
The desire of Romanus to go to Paroria grew stronger day by day. He
spoke to the abbot again, and the Elder was grieved at the thought of
losing the exemplary and well-loved Romanus. He realized, however,
that keeping Romanus there might not be according to the will of God.
Therefore, he blessed Romanus to depart, and gave him provisions for
his journey.
Romanus traveled to Paroria with another monk named Hilarion and
explained to St Gregory who they were and that they had come to be his
disciples. St Gregory received them and assigned them to their
obediences in the monastery. Since Hilarion was weaker, he was given
lighter duties. Romanus, who was strong, received heavier labors. He
would carry wood from the mountain, or sometimes stones. He also
carried water from the river, and helped in the kitchen and in the
bakery. He even tended the sick, who seemed to improve under his care.
Seeing his humility, his cheerful obedience, and his piety, the other
monks called him "Romanus the Good."
Romanus received instruction in the spiritual life from St Gregory,
who trained him to be a great ascetic. When St Gregory fell asleep in
the Lord, Romanus grieved for him day and night. He did not wish to
remain in that place without being subject to an Elder. He found
another instructor who had already accepted Romanus's fellow-traveler
Hilarion as a disciple. Romanus subjected himself to this Elder,
obeying him as he had obeyed St Gregory.
Because the three monks were assailed by robbers who deprived them of
the necessities of life, they left Paroria and went back to Zagora.
They settled at a place called Mogrin, about one day's journey from
Trnovo. For some reason, Romanus left the Elder to dwell in a remote
place by himself. Hearing of the Elder's death, he returned and fell
upon his grave with tears, filled with regret that he had deserted his
instructor. Then he fell at Hilarion's feet and said, "Since I
disobeyed the Elder's order and left this place, I place myself under
you from this day forward." Hilarion, knowing that Romanus surpassed
him in virtue, would not agree to this. Romanus insisted saying,
"Unless you accept me under your authority, I shall not get up from
the ground." Seeing his great humility, Hilarion finally agreed to
accept Romanus.
Hearing that the robbers had been subdued by Tsar Ivan Alexander of
Bulgaria, Romanus and Hilarion decided to go back to Paroria, where
they could live in solitude and contemplation. Later, Romanus was
tonsured into the Great Schema with the name Romilus.
The incursions of the Moslems forced Romilus to return yet again to
Zagora, where he built a hut in a remote place. Other monks in the
area, through envy or jealousy, resented Romilus, so he traveled to
Mt. Athos. There many monks came to him for spiritual counsel, and
they disturbed his quietude. Fleeing human glory, he went from place
to place until he came to Mt. Melana near Karyes. Even there, monks
gathered around him, and he was able to console and instruct them for
their profit. He taught them to wage war against the passions, and
against the demons who seek the destruction of the soul. He also
taught them to love God and their neighbor, seeking the good things
which eye has not seen, nor ear heard (I Cor. 2:9).
Not only did he correct his own disciples, but sometimes an Elder
would send his disciples to St Romilus for correction. He urged them
not to question or contradict their Elder's orders, but to obey him
just as Christ obeyed the will of the Father (John 6:38). He warned
them that those who refuse to submit to authority are easily led
astray by the Enemy. He also urged the Elders to be gentle with their
disciples, and to avoid harsh treatment.
Once again, the number of monks who sought spiritual conversation with
him hindered his own spiritual struggles and prayer. Therefore, he
moved to the northern part of Mt. Athos and built a cell where he
could live in solitude. The more he fled worldly glory, however, the
more this glory found him. When the location of his cell became known,
they flocked to him just as before.
The Serbian despot John Ugljela was killed by the Turks at the Battle
of Marica on September 26, 1371. This allowed the Moslems to attack
Mt. Athos, so many of the monks (including St Romilus) fled to other
places. St Romilus went to Valona in Albania. He thought that in this
obscure place he would find solitude, but he was mistaken. Many monks
and laymen came to him, afflicted with ignorance, enslaved to base
passions, with no shepherd to guide them. Through his words and his
example, he led many from darkness into the light of Christ.
St Romilus left Valona with his disciples and moved to Ravenica in
Serbia, where there was a monastery dedicated to the Most Holy
Theotokos. He settled near this place with his disciples. In 1375, he
surrendered his soul to God and went to the heavenly Kingdom. It is
said that his grave emitted an ineffable fragrance.
Even after his death, St Romilus performed great miracles, casting out
demons, and healing all sorts of diseases and suffering. Through his
holy prayers, may we obtain the forgiveness of our sins and great
mercy from Christ our God, to Whom is due all glory, honor and
worship, together with His unoriginate Father, and the Most Holy,
good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.. and became a monk in Trnovo, Bulgaria. lived in serveral
monasteries.
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